C4 lower balljoint
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
C4 lower balljoint
Hi guys,
I hope you will tolerate a question from a C1 forum member. I am in the process of dismantling and polishing out all the suspension from a 94 to put under a 59 body, and need help on how to remove the lower balljoints. The rest of the front and rear suspension has been pretty straight forward and pretty easy to figure out, but how in the hell do the lowers come out? This is going to make one beautiful suspension setup as the forged aluminum peices really polish up beautifully! The only bad thing about it is that I had to break down and buy some Metric tools finally. I have been caught in a time warp for the last 30 years or so.
:seeya
I hope you will tolerate a question from a C1 forum member. I am in the process of dismantling and polishing out all the suspension from a 94 to put under a 59 body, and need help on how to remove the lower balljoints. The rest of the front and rear suspension has been pretty straight forward and pretty easy to figure out, but how in the hell do the lowers come out? This is going to make one beautiful suspension setup as the forged aluminum peices really polish up beautifully! The only bad thing about it is that I had to break down and buy some Metric tools finally. I have been caught in a time warp for the last 30 years or so.
:seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: C4 lower balljoint (John McGraw)
Press them out. I did mine very recently also. When I did it, I had to really crank on the hydraulic press then suddenly....BANG! It fell out. To install, same thing: hydraulic press. One intersting thing another member mentioned was to put the joint in the freezer overnight. Then when ready to install, heat the A-arm with heat from a torch and then press in.
(mine went in with a bang also)
(mine went in with a bang also)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Re: C4 lower balljoint (89 Paul in Cal)
Yes, they are a very tight press fit. I would not do it again without freezing/
heating the parts. I got two sets of replacements ball joints because the first
set the diameter was like .030" larger than what came out and I didn't think
they'd fit without breaking something. The second set was a little less but
still really tight, and it pulled/sheared some aluminum from the control arm
where it went through (they're in there tight though).
That's going to make a nice setup for your C1 though. Are you doing
the rear too? Good luck, and show us some pics when you're done!
Dan
heating the parts. I got two sets of replacements ball joints because the first
set the diameter was like .030" larger than what came out and I didn't think
they'd fit without breaking something. The second set was a little less but
still really tight, and it pulled/sheared some aluminum from the control arm
where it went through (they're in there tight though).
That's going to make a nice setup for your C1 though. Are you doing
the rear too? Good luck, and show us some pics when you're done!
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Re: C4 lower balljoint (John McGraw)
John, it'll look great. I did the rear trailing arms and camber arms on my 86 and they look pretty good. I also cleaned them up,removing the part lines from the forging process. I'll do the fronts also, as they are easier to see. Didn't think about freezing the balljoint, but is something I'll have to remember as I have one to do on my Dakota in a couple of weeks.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: C4 lower balljoint (mash557)
I would freeze the ball joint, but do not heat the a-arm with a torch. They are aluminum, and unlike metal that turns red when it is hot aluminum does not change color. You do not know when it is hot enough and then in a split second it melts and that arm is done. Just freeze the joint and that will be enough. I usually dont do anything I just press the old one out and the new one in. You can also buy them .005 over if need be.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: C4 lower balljoint (mash557)
Thanks guys,
I figured it had to be something like that, but was unwilling to start pressing until I knew for sure! Yes, I am doing the rear suspension as well and am grinding all parting lines off and polishing everything to a mirror finish. The only thing that I haven't decided on yet is how to protct them. Clear powder coat or clear urethane will probably keep the highest shine, but several people have advised to have them clear anodized. Every clear anodized peice that I have seen has sustantially dulled the polish, but it may be the best overall choice. Comments anyone?
:seeya
I figured it had to be something like that, but was unwilling to start pressing until I knew for sure! Yes, I am doing the rear suspension as well and am grinding all parting lines off and polishing everything to a mirror finish. The only thing that I haven't decided on yet is how to protct them. Clear powder coat or clear urethane will probably keep the highest shine, but several people have advised to have them clear anodized. Every clear anodized peice that I have seen has sustantially dulled the polish, but it may be the best overall choice. Comments anyone?
:seeya
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: C4 lower balljoint (89 Paul in Cal)
Thanks all,
I put them on the old Harbor Freight press and they popped right out! I wish I could say that the rubber bushings were as easy to press out!
:seeya
I put them on the old Harbor Freight press and they popped right out! I wish I could say that the rubber bushings were as easy to press out!
:seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Re: C4 lower balljoint (John McGraw)
What are you using to polish them with? I used a couple methods, but the Harbor Frt grinder refit with polishing wheels didn't work very well. I had to chase it all over the garage/driveway the wheels were so off-center and out of balance. Had a fellow vette owner from the area give me a lesson in polishing and thought I had duplicated his effort, but his setup worked, mine didn't.
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